Anyone in the Triangle area have a threadless headset jig I can borrow to cut my steering column to size?

The people I bought my Surly Long Haul Trucker from shipped it without cutting it, and I can't get my headset or stem on.

The rest of the bike came cabled and ready to ride, however.

12/23/2008 11:48:50 AM

Hey Yoda,
What do you mean by 'straighten out a rim'? How messed up is it? Like, a slight wobble or hop, or
are we talking practically tacoed?

If it's a steel or aluminum rim, and not that bad, you can take it to a) your local community bike co-op, who can help you true it up for a small donation or free. b) a local bike shop, I'm not sure how much they charge for trueing wheels (<$30-40 I'd guess?)

If it's completely shot, you might want to buy a new rim or wheel- also could get from a or b.

Also, how did it get messed up in the first place? A sudden accident, or something chronic- like broken/loose spokes? I saw a mtb in our co-op on Saturday that had like 5 loose spokes and some missing ones and was amazed it hadn't collapsed. So, don't do that.

12/23/2008 11:57:27 AM

Does anyone on here ride a Cannondale "Lefty"? I think they look awesome, I was wondering how they ride.

12/30/2008 11:47:24 AM

I've rode a lefty before. Freakin sweet. It was as nice, if not nicer than my Trek Fuel.

12/31/2008 8:16:49 AM

Ok, so I rode my first Cyclocross race today in Salisbury. Man, that was tough. I came in dead last in the men's C4 category (lapped), and I was passed by the women, boys, and girls who started after us.

I was on my mountain bike, but despite its weight I went over the barriers and up the steps without too much trouble. Apparently, I don't have any legs. All the other racers had a low cadence, but I was spinning my pedals just piddling around at slow speed. After a lap my legs wanted to quit. Anyhow, I was pleased with my effort. Next time I'll try not to be lapped.

There was one guy in the Elete race wearing an NCSU jersey. No idea if he was/is a student though.

In the pics I'm in black, white helmet, grey bike.



[Edited on January 3, 2009 at 8:16 PM. Reason : pics]

[Edited on January 3, 2009 at 8:16 PM. Reason : .]

1/3/2009 8:12:41 PM

^Gotta start everything somewhere. Congrats!

1/5/2009 5:43:41 PM

^ exactly!

everyone gets beat at some point

my bf got passed up by a one legged woman during his last tri. he trained in houston and the tri was in lake tahoe-- altitude fucked him up

ive been toying with the idea of buying a road bike in 09 but a 10 day trip to hawaii is a little higher on the priority list right now. we'll see how the bonus check shakes out in march

1/5/2009 6:05:16 PM

good work, it sounds like fun. i'm pretty sure i don't have the lungs or legs for something like that right now.

1/5/2009 6:37:59 PM

Thanks for the support guys. I'm racing again in VA Beach on the 17th, and then again Feb 1 and March 1. Maybe I'll bring some legs next time. Ha ha!

The wife is buying a road bike soon (for our triathlon). I can't wait for her to get her bike. I'm debating if I want a cross bike (to double as a roadbike), a road bike, or a road bike and a cross bike. Yay for having money after college! Makes me wish I had cycled more in Raleigh when I was there though.

1/5/2009 8:47:17 PM

if you have the money, a road bike, a cross bike, AND a tri bike.

for road use my old hardtail mtb with super slicks, complete with bouncy fork. its no speed demon, but it gets the job done.

1/5/2009 9:52:00 PM

^ careful, there. Before long, you'll have a whole room just for your bikes and equipment, and you'll have to turn yourself into a veritable bike mechanic just to keep them all working!

kind of like.... me

1/5/2009 11:03:48 PM

i've got to mountain bikes, both of which have recently spent a lot of time hanging on the wall. i've kicked around the idea of a road bike, but i have no where to store it.

1/5/2009 11:11:48 PM

^^ Your wife races 'cross?

How well would a cross bike double as a road bike? Is it just a matter of swapping tires, or are the frames a lot different?

1/6/2009 5:52:35 PM

she hasn't actually raced cyclocross in a couple years. When she was road-cycling fulltime (on a professional team), she did XC in the winter. Now that she's transitioned to mountain biking more than road, she just mtn bikes through the winter instead of doing XC.

An XC bike would be a find substitute for a road bike, if you only wanted one bike. The frames are nearly identical, except for the fork and seat stays are wider to allow bigger tires. I suppose the frames might be a bit heavier in order to add some strength and durability because of the normal usage of cross bikes. They use cantilever brakes (old-school style mountain bike brakes) instead of caliper brakes.
Also, the default gearing on a cross bike will be lower than on a road bike. The chain rings on the front will be smaller than a road bike, so you won't get as high of a gear if you're riding on the road or downhill. You can swap the cassette in the back for whatever sizes you want (or use different rear wheels). It could also be possible to use a 3-ring setup on the front, so you can get a big chainring for road rides, and the middle and granny gear for cross rides.

There's probably nothing stopping you from having two sets of wheels - one with cross tires and one with road tires, and you could just switch them out pretty easily. You could then put on the road wheels and fit into a group road-ride pretty well, with only a few strange glances when someone notices.

1/6/2009 8:55:34 PM

^ Thanks for the input. I've got a friend that works at the bike shop, and he basically said the same thing. It makes sense to me. Some other (bicycling) forums think it's a stoopid idea, saying the bikes are too different. I figure at my level, I probabily won't be able to tell the difference.

In any case, I figure I'll ride my Mtn. bike for the last cross races of the season, and then I'll have till Sept/Oct to decide if I want a road bike or road and cross bike.

1/8/2009 8:01:09 PM

Quote :

"Some other (bicycling) forums think it's a stoopid idea, saying the bikes are too different"

yeah, well bike geeks are known to be unbearable assholes sometimes. Especially road-bike geeks.

1/8/2009 8:16:27 PM

here's a daft question...

if i buy a used trainer off craigslist like the cycleops or kurt kinetic that has a lifetime warranty, can i use that warranty? or is it just for the original owner?

1/9/2009 9:03:34 PM

AntiMnifesto

Wobble. Hit a curb a while back going pretty good and just bent it. Annoying to ride it.

Which brings up a good point, what decent shops are there around NCSU? Ive just been going to REI lately, but for fixing, id rather not for them. Nor do I feel like dragging my bikes across the state to my old place back home.

1/12/2009 11:29:23 AM

im going to bet a lifetime warranty is probably transferable. you could always contact the manufacturing company and ask them about their policy and what details you'd need to make a claim if you ever needed to, and make sure you get the info they would need from the seller before buying it

they may require an original receipt or maybe just the serial number, just call and ask some questions

1/12/2009 11:45:19 AM

Hey Yoda,
It sounds like your wheel could be trued- is it hitting your brake pads and or/wheel when it wobbles by on a side?

Good bike shops I've felt I've been treated decently by, and aren't annoyingly sexist,
are Flythe Cyclery on Peace St. and All-Star by Whole Foods. Flythe in particular was cool,
because the old dude in there would explain to me how to fix stuff, when I wasn't so hot
at cabling, for instance. There's some more shops in Cary (another All-Star, etc.), but I haven't
had experience with them.

I've heard bad stuff about Cycle Logic down on Hillsborough, and I avoid going to the Bike Chain
here in Durham as much as possible.

1/12/2009 3:14:18 PM

For the absolute best service, you should really do yourself a favor and go talk to Hormis, Scott, or Si at REI in Cary.

Hormis is the most meticulous wheel mechanic Ive met (besides myself) and if it can be fixed, he is the guy.

There are only 5 other mechanics (other than myself) that I would allow to work on my stuff. Those are three of the five.

1/12/2009 4:28:06 PM

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/01/12/bike_commuters/

woohoo!

1/13/2009 10:14:12 PM

Quote :

"I've heard bad stuff about Cycle Logic down on Hillsborough"

If you dont mind me asking what was it you heard. I've only bought a few odds and ends from Cycle Logic and liked it ok, honestly I like it more than Flythe so far.

1/14/2009 8:55:25 AM

Quote :

"I've heard bad stuff about Cycle Logic down on Hillsborough"

The guy that runs the place is grumpy at best and a jerk at worst. Thats about it. Cycle Logic is the only place I've found that has tons of slightly used parts for refurbishing an old bike. The prices are good, the repairs are the cheapest around. If you're gonna get your feelings hurt because the old man isn't smiling and singing "chim-chim chiree" when you walk in the door, you should probably go elsewhere.

1/14/2009 11:10:28 AM

I like Cycle Logic. The guy's always been nice enough...even let me use some of his tools to do a repair myself...no charge.

1/14/2009 11:15:56 AM

Quote :

"I like Cycle Logic. The guy's always been nice enough...even let me use some of his tools to do a repair myself...no charge."

Oh yeah, I think the guy's alright. He just rubs some people the wrong way.

I've always heard he lets people use his tools for free. I might stop by there the next time I need a tool I don't have.

1/14/2009 2:03:09 PM

Cycle Logic- I heard from 2 past roommates of mine-

1. They worked for him assembling new bikes in the back of the shop and barely got paid enough to make it worth it

2. He was overcharging on simple repairs.

3. His customer service wasn't the best- then again he dealt with NC State students so this might have had something to do with it.

Then again, this was over 4 years ago, so maybe he magically changed.

1/15/2009 12:48:02 AM

All Star in Cary used to have a great wheel builder back in the day. I practically lived in that place when I was at State. For a simple truing most shops should do fine. I'd go to the All Star on Ridge Rd. just because it's so close.

1/15/2009 12:59:51 AM

http://www.bcycle.com/

1/15/2009 12:33:13 PM

Quote :

"Cycle Logic- I heard from 2 past roommates of mine- 1. They worked for him assembling new bikes in the back of the shop and barely got paid enough to make it worth it 2. He was overcharging on simple repairs. 3. His customer service wasn't the best- then again he dealt with NC State students so this might have had something to do with it. Then again, this was over 4 years ago, so maybe he magically changed."

1- What were they expecting? Working in a bike shop isn't going to pay much. Its not like the owner is getting rich off of it.

2- I seriously doubt it. He gives the cheapest tune-ups in Raleigh and even lets you use his tools for free.

3- Like I already said, he can be grumpy. Get over it or go elsewhere.

1/15/2009 12:48:16 PM

So I rode in another Cyclocross race, this time in VA Beach.

I came in last, again.

I was only about a minute down from the second to last place spot...if I had known I was so close, I would have gone all out for the last half lap. I was with the peleton for about 2/3 of the first lap...long enough to watch a guy go down in the mud (right infront of me, it was cool!!!), only to come back and pass me minutes later. I think I blew up after about 10 minutes, and then I was just trying to go as fast as I could with what I had left for the remainder. Now I've got a few triathlons to run (April-Sept), and then I'll decide if I want a cross bike and to turn it into a hobby.

Attached are some photos of the Men's CAT 1,2 race. I was dissappointed that the course only had one dismount section.

1/18/2009 7:02:34 PM

how long is a cyclocross course? looks like its a lot of sprint-brake-turn sprint-brake-turn. do you ever settle into an aerobic pace?

1/18/2009 7:41:03 PM

there is a lot of sprint and brake, and also some steep short hills. A lot of the course at VA Beach was long and flat on (frozen) grass and pavement. My race was 1/2 hour, some are 3/4 hour, and the elite men ride for 1 hour (and they do it fast, too!)

1/18/2009 8:33:20 PM

only organized event for me this year will the booty ride in charlotte. i road a lot in high school. then for fun in college and just started riding again this past october. i did not realize how much i missed it. its been a little cold lately.

1/18/2009 9:34:19 PM

^ Are you talking about the 24 hours of booty? I wanted to do that this year, but I didn't find any information on it. Is there an up-to-date website about the event?

1/18/2009 9:37:28 PM

^ x ?

On Cycle Logic- I'm just passing on hearsay from people I considered reliable.
Everyone's entitled to their opinions.

And I can't remember the last time I was in an actual bike shop for a repair-
I take care of my bikes between our home tools and the co-op.

Anyone want to show me how to rebuild an old-school Sturmey-Archer 3-speed coaster brake
hub? That's the project I'm attempting to tackle at the co-op....

1/19/2009 12:26:55 AM

So for the three other people on this site that follow pro road cycling....

Landis racing in California.....

think about the all the names that are going to be in that one race

fo reals

1/28/2009 11:34:37 AM

I had another race this sunday, dubbed as "Mountain Cross". It was mostly single track, some passing areas, and a couple of barriers. Most of all, it was MUD MUD MUD all over the place. Every once in a while I'd have to stop and scrape the goop off. It was fun sliding around in it though. And, I also wasn't last. I passed two guys my age, a 50 yr. old woman, 13 yr. old girl, and 9 yr. old boy. The average speed for the course was 6.4 mph (it was that muddy!), my average speed was 5.4 mph....slower than I run. The most difficult part was not riding the mud uphill, but clipping in with my caked pedals.

Before: (pre-ride)



During:



After:


[Edited on February 2, 2009 at 7:46 PM. Reason : link]

[Edited on February 2, 2009 at 7:46 PM. Reason : link]

2/2/2009 7:44:07 PM

hey your last pic reminds me-- what is the best way to clean dried up mud off a mtn bike? im talking a lot, more than in your pic! the bike is worth a couple grand so i dont want to damage it with a high pressure washer but need to get the mud off

also, does anyone know of any good bike rides/routes in the rdu area for the march timeframe? can you ride on the tobacco trail in durham? what about that greenway pass thing that goes over the beltway-- can you ride on that trail?

2/2/2009 8:02:14 PM

the local (legal) trails are shown here http://trianglemtb.com/

just use a regular hose with a normal garden nozzle thing. Set it to 'jet' or whatever and it will be fine. Once the mud gets wet, it will come off. You can spray into chain and gears and everything. Let it drip-dry in the sun, then lube the chain and run it through all the gears. Take the opportunity every two or three times you lube it to use degreaser on the chain as well and clean it a bit before lubing.

Some high-end enthusiasts will claim that you can't hose your bike down because it could get water inside the sealed parts of the bike - the bottem bracket, down the seat post, in the shocks, etc. The say you should always just rub it down with damp rags, then dry rags. But I say bullshit. Ok, so maybe it could get whater where it's not "supposed" to be.... maybe a little water. And if it does, oh well - if you have to buy a new bottom bracket for $35 a few months earlier than you would otherwise, I would consider that a good tradeoff - spend hours rubbing your bike delicately with a rag, or use a hose and it will be done in a couple minutes.

2/2/2009 8:37:46 PM

thanks for the link

well, seeing as its not my bike, i would really hate to fuck shit up. the man is pretty into bikes and i'd feel bad about ruining something, even though he'd never get mad at me for it

its just been sitting muddy in my garage since.. july, so i just feel like it should be cleaned. this may sound stupid but can the dried mud degrade the rubber?

2/2/2009 9:25:32 PM

no.

2/2/2009 9:30:52 PM

bikes are not delicate pieces of china. Especially mountain bikes - they are durable, strong machines. A little water and dirt can't hurt them.

2/2/2009 9:48:07 PM

my concern for the rubber is that the mud has been dried on it for months on end

but now i see there is nothing to worry about

2/2/2009 10:23:34 PM

just so you know, if you ask about cleaning a muddy bike on any mountain bike forums, be prepare for an onslaught of flames about riding muddy trails. You'd might as well be opening the gates of hell.

I always respect the trail rules, if its close I don't poach, etc. But in my opinion, its a dirt path in the woods, who cares, but I'm in the minority on that for sure.

2/3/2009 5:57:08 PM

i doubt you're in the minority, as far as how people actually ride.

Yes, most people will stay off of trails right after a rain, but even though a lot of assholes will berate you for riding something the day after a rain, they will proably wait 2 hours and do it themselves.

2/3/2009 6:02:31 PM

well the mtn bike was used in an xterra tri and it pretty much rained the whole time

so the bike needs to be cleaned.

2/3/2009 7:43:57 PM

oddly enough, all is forgiven if you got the bike muddy in a race.

just spray the thing off, and put a few drop of lube on the moving parts. its not rocket science.

2/3/2009 8:13:54 PM

had a riding quasi-date lined with this chick today, instead woke up sick as shit. what a wasted of a day. pwnt.

[Edited on February 8, 2009 at 12:29 PM. Reason : .]

2/8/2009 12:28:49 PM

Aside: Why do dedicated biking forums have so many....elitests? It's like they all have an opinion that is burning through their ass. (or at least, kinda seems to me)

2/14/2009 7:55:11 PM